Children & teens
WISC-V & WAIS-5
Strengths-based, not deficit-based
Cognitive (IQ) & adaptive functioning
Examples of WHO IS IT FOR
A child who's experiencing difficulty meeting developmental milestones at an expected age
A young person who needs a clear diagnosis to access the right support at school.
A family who need a formal assessment for an NDIS application or review.
A family who want language and understanding, whether or not the outcome unlocks funding.
Verbal reasoning
How a person understands and uses language to reason — putting ideas into words, and working with concepts and knowledge.
Visual & spatial reasoning
Solving problems with patterns, shapes and space — the kind of thinking that doesn't rely on words.
Working memory
Holding and working with verbal and visual information in the moment — a quiet driver of how learning and focus feel day to day.
Processing speed
How quickly and accurately a person takes in and responds to information — often the difference between capable and exhausted.
Adaptive functioning
The everyday skills a person uses to live and cope — communication, self-care, and independence at home, school or work. It's an essential part of an intellectual disability assessment, because a diagnosis considers how someone functions day to day, not just their cognitive scores.
A child who's reaching milestones later than expected across several areas.
Learning that's harder than it should be, with no clear reason why.
A school asking for cognitive testing to support funding applications or entry into specialist education.
Needing a cognitive profile as part of an NDIS application or review.
Challenges with everyday skills — communication, self-care, independence — alongside learning.
Wanting a clear, formal picture to guide the right supports and plans.
1
STEP ONE
A first conversation
A 60-minute intake. For children and teens this is a parent/carer session gathering developmental history; for adults it's a self-referral intake gathering background and history. With your consent we may collect information from teachers, GPs or previous reports. Telehealth available where appropriate.
2
STEP TWO
Cognitive testing
Direct, one-on-one cognitive testing using standardised measures (WISC-V for children, WAIS-5 for adults). Where an intellectual disability assessment is needed, we also gather adaptive functioning information. Usually a couple of hours, and we can split it across sessions.
3
STEP THREE
The report
A thorough written report that pulls all the threads together — interviews, testing, observations — in plain language, with concrete recommendations for home, school or work, and supports.
4
STEP FOUR
Feedback session
A 60-minute session walking you through the results, what they mean and possible next steps. You can bring whoever needs to be there. You'll leave with the report and a clear summary of options to consider. Telehealth available where appropriate.
WISC-V
WECHSLER SCALE FOR CHILDREN
A widely used cognitive assessment for children and teens — a full profile across verbal reasoning, visual problem-solving, working memory and processing speed.
WAIS-5
WECHSLER SCALE FOR ADULTS
The adult equivalent — a full cognitive profile that shows how an adult mind reasons, remembers and processes information.
ABAS-3 & Vineland
ADAPTIVE FUNCTIONING
Standardised measures of everyday adaptive skills — communication, daily living, social and practical independence — completed across home and school.
BASC-3
BEHAVIOUR & EMOTIONAL SCALES
A standardised measure of behaviour and emotional functioning, completed across home and school, to round out the picture.
Developmental history
INTERVIEW & RECORDS
Background, early milestones, school reports and previous assessments — the developmental context an intellectual disability diagnosis needs.
Measures are selected to suit age, language, and the question being asked — so the exact set may differ slightly from the list above. We'll tell you what we're using and why.
FEES
Intellectual disability assessment
CHILDREN & TEENS
$2,600
INCLUDED IN THE FEE
All test materials
Time to administer, score and interpret results
All client sessions required for the assessment
A detailed written report
Rebates & funding
Medicare rebates don't generally cover assessments. Some clients may be eligible for rebated assessment appointments under a referral — please check your eligibility with your GP or paediatrican.
We work with self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants. Many private health extras policies cover a portion — check with your insurer, and we'll provide an invoice you can submit.
See all fees →
Intellectual disability faq
Intellectual Disability Assessment Questions
Not sure if an Intellectual Disability (ID) assessment is right for you?
Tell us a bit about what's prompting the question, and we can talk it through — whether an assessment is the right step, and which one fits. We see children, teens and adults across Melbourne.
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